Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

With the advent and growth of crowdfunding over the past few years, many entrepreneurs have predicted the demise of those demanding angel investment groups and venture capital organizations. These groups are now largely run by volunteers at no cost to entrepreneurs. Lack of checks and balances on startup valuations.

Equity 411

Equity Angel Groups Accredited Investor Due Diligence 411

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 29, 2010

We received so much positive feedback from our This Week in Venture Capital show walking through valuation calculations & term sheets that we decided to do a Q&A show this week to address topics that entrepreneurs want to learn about. on the entrepreneur side of the table) when I raised at too high of a price. Never cold.

Venture Capital 282

Venture Capital Term Sheet Valuation Stock Options 282

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 5, 2011

I have conversations with entrepreneurs and other VCs on a daily basis about fund raising, the prices of deals, how much companies should raise, etc. These are not scientific, just anecdotal and just trying to provide some transparency for entrepreneurs on what I’ve seen the market. And of course there are always outliers.

Pre-Money Valuation 336

Pre-Money Valuation Valuation Silicon Valley Stock 336

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 22, 2011

This was an audience of mostly first-time entrepreneurs. It is great for entrepreneurs and great for VCs. So here is what I have been telling entrepreneurs privately for the past 6 months. What a bubble means for each entrepreneur. New investors hate down rounds. I believe that. source: Capital IQ.

Saudi Arabia 309

Saudi Arabia Valuation IPO Technical Review 309

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

In a world where the economy only heads in one direction (read: 2009-2014) most investors & entrepreneurs forget to pay attention to gross burn. But while Net Burn is the more critical figure at first blush and what most investors will focus on, Gross Burn is not irrelevant.

Burn Rate 383

Burn Rate Balance Sheet .Net Valuation 383

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

At an accelerator … Me: Raising convertible notes as a seed round is one of the biggest disservices our industry has done to entrepreneurs since 2001-2003 when there were “full ratchets” and “multiple liquidation preferences” – the most hostile terms anybody found in term sheets 10 years ago.

Venture Capital 417

Venture Capital Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet 417

Lightspeed Venture Partners

OCTOBER 7, 2012

This does neither, so I’m out” Cuban said, “I see you guys not as entrepreneurs but as wantrepreneurs” I agree with him. In this way, they remind me of the Lifter Hamper entrepreneur. That’s why most entrepreneurs do not make a specific ask on valuation, but wait to hear offers from investors.

Technical Review 110

Technical Review Technical Cofounder Valuation Pre-Money Valuation 110

YoungUpstarts

JUNE 26, 2020

The real issue here is that if an entrepreneur comes in to a pitch and goes on and on about how they’re going to build a billion dollar company in just a few years, most investors eyes tend to glaze over. Like Jerry Yang who started Yahoo, as investors we are looking for entrepreneurs who are obsessed with a new technology.

Finance 205

Finance Silicon Valley Valuation Startup 205

Berkonomics

AUGUST 3, 2023

However, most often, these funds are solicited by a well-meaning entrepreneur from investors who are not qualified as accredited investors under the law (currently requiring a proved income of $200,000 a year or $1 million in net worth for an individual investor).

Private Equity 118

Private Equity Valuation Cap Table Accredited Investor 118

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 30, 2018

One of the hardest things about the fund-raising process for entrepreneurs is that you’re trying to raise money from people who have “asymmetric information.” As an entrepreneur it can feel as intimidating as going to buy a car where the dealer knows the price of every make & model of a car and you’re guessing at how much to pay.

Valuation 324

Valuation Post-Money Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Cofounder 324

crowdSPRING Blog

MAY 10, 2013

The Start-up Hall of Shame (America’s 10 Worst States for Entrepreneurs) – [link]. The Damaging Psychology of Down Rounds | by Mark Suster – [link]. Reverse Engineering Your Startup’s Success - [link]. Building Loyalty The Lady Gaga Way: Focus On 1% Of Your Customers | Forbes – [link]. ” [link].

Social Media 93

Social Media Small Business Design Media 93

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 20, 2016

With the advent and growth of crowdfunding over the past few years, many entrepreneurs have predicted the demise of those demanding angel investment groups and venture capital organizations. These groups are now largely run by volunteers at no cost to entrepreneurs. Lack of checks and balances on startup valuations.

Angel Groups 136

Angel Groups Accredited Investor Equity Due Diligence 136

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2012

Entrepreneurs sometimes assume an initial agreement with an Angel is a commitment, so they start spending before any money is received. It’s true that Angel investors typically do not present entrepreneurs with overly complicated deal structures, especially when compared to venture capitalists. But some dilution is almost inevitable.

Term Sheet 223

Term Sheet Pre-Money Valuation Due Diligence Post-Money Valuation 223

Berkonomics

OCTOBER 18, 2018

For investors, a subsequent down round at a lower valuation than the last, or an exit opportunity at a loss are all opportunities for the affected stakeholder to show a side that can sometimes shock an entrepreneur or CEO. The chasm between management and employees.

Valuation 96

Valuation Dilution Down Round Employee 96

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010

Entrepreneurs sometimes assume an initial agreement with an angel is a commitment, so they start spending before any money is received. It’s true that angel investors typically do not present entrepreneurs with overly complicated deal structures, especially when compared to venture capitalists. But some dilution is almost inevitable.

Term Sheet 227

Term Sheet Pre-Money Valuation Due Diligence Post-Money Valuation 227

Feld Thoughts

APRIL 21, 2016

Also, they have a strong belief that any sign of weakness (such as a down round) will have a catastrophic impact on their culture, hiring process, and ability to retain employees. Their own ego is also a factor – will a down round signal weakness?

Marketing 70

Marketing Down Round Startup IRR 70

Berkonomics

MARCH 5, 2020

In the creation of a young company, there are five principal risks to be addressed by the entrepreneur. So, it is important for the entrepreneur to identify, address and mitigate each of these in order to increase valuation and decrease the risk of ultimate loss of the business. And fifth: Competitive risk. .

Valuation 62

Valuation Down Round Early Stage Demand 62

NZ Entrepreneur

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

If a startup expects $1M in sales revenue but only gets $100k and they haven’t got a backup plan, they may face a down round or in the worst case liquidity concerns. The post Sensitivity Analysis key in startup financial projections appeared first on NZ Entrepreneur Magazine. Underestimating costs. Follow on LinkedIn.

Startup 69

Startup Sales Cycle Down Round Revenue 69

Gust

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

Me: Raising convertible notes as a seed round is one of the biggest disservices our industry has done to entrepreneurs since 2001-2003 when there were “full ratchets” and “multiple liquidation preferences” – the most hostile terms anybody found in term sheets 10 years ago. It’s like we need a finance 101 course for entrepreneurs.

Liquidation Preference 153

Liquidation Preference Valuation Term Sheet Stock 153

Gust

OCTOBER 17, 2011

Entrepreneurs sometimes assume an initial agreement with an angel is a commitment, so they start spending before any money is received. It’s true that angel investors typically do not present entrepreneurs with overly complicated deal structures, especially when compared to venture capitalists. But some dilution is almost inevitable.

Term Sheet 158

Term Sheet Pre-Money Valuation Due Diligence Post-Money Valuation 158

The Equity Kicker

JANUARY 22, 2014

In my experience this is one of the hardest points for many entrepreneurs to grasp. You fall into the spiral of death: head of sales gets replaced (at least once), CEO gets replaced (at least once), a down-round financing happens (if lucky). It perhaps happens most at Series B, but can certainly happen earlier.

Venture Capital 102

Venture Capital Down Round Valuation Lean 102

Seeing Both Sides

JANUARY 9, 2009

Seeking to assuage the nervous entrepreneurs amongst the portfolio companies that were in attendence at his networking lunch reception, he assured them, "We [Intel Capital] intend to continue forward and be very supportive of your down rounds this year". But Intel Capital will be happy to invest in their down rounds.

Down Round 20

Down Round Forecast Portfolio Government 20

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 27, 2010

These days that’s not the case and it’s a great outcome for entrepreneurs and for innovation. A: Only because it’s a nicer branding for entrepreneurs. I totally agree and have been arguing this to entrepreneurs for years. I always counsel young entrepreneurs to start on the local train.

Liquidity Event 308

Liquidity Event Silicon Valley Seed Stage Finance 308

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 4, 2016

Most flat rounds. More down rounds. More structured rounds. And while we should never celebrate this, we all know the cycle of renewal clears the way for need seedlings, new growth and a more realistic cohort of first-time entrepreneurs raised to be careful about every incremental dollar of spend.

LP 150

LP Valuation Burn Rate Pre-Money Valuation 150

Berkonomics

JUNE 8, 2017

However, most often, these funds are solicited by a well-meaning entrepreneur from investors who are not qualified as accredited investors under the law (currently requiring a proved income of $200,000 a year or $1 million in net worth for an individual investor). Dave’s book and ebook on raising money available on Amazon.com.

Private Equity 106

Private Equity Valuation Cap Table Accredited Investor 106

Berkonomics

MARCH 14, 2019

Especially if you are in the early stage of growing a business, these five risks can and often do derail entrepreneurs before realizing the riches of a great exit. Of course, we are speaking of increased valuation of your company when we speak of “wealth.” So, let’s examine them and mitigate them. Make you wealthy someday.

Valuation 48

Valuation Down Round Early Stage Demand 48

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 8, 2016

We entrepreneurs have been spinning that line for decades in every boom cycle. If you can get a round done at the price you expect – well done. Don’t assume that you can “just do a down round” if necessary. Down rounds are corrosive. This prudence is smart and welcomed.

Burn Rate 150

Burn Rate Cap Table Balance Sheet Dilution 150

Berkonomics

MARCH 15, 2012

In the creation of a new enterprise, there are five principal risks to be addressed by the entrepreneur. So it is important for the entrepreneur to identify, address and mitigate each of these in order to increase valuation and decrease the risk of ultimate loss of the business. And fifth: Competitive risk.

Valuation 80

Valuation Down Round Demand Management 80

View from Seed

FEBRUARY 19, 2015

Sometimes the only path forward is to fill a gap with a down round of funding, a B-player, or some other non-ideal option. Special thanks to Rob May for sharing his advice to other startup CEOs and entrepreneurs. Your job is to seek out diverse perspectives, assimilate the information, and make a decision. Keep at it.

Founder 120

Founder Startup Cofounder Business Model 120

Growthink Blog

MAY 23, 2011

An entrepreneur starts a company in classic " bootstrap " fashion - with a combination of sweat equity and their own financial resources. The angel then introduces the entrepreneur to his or her wealthy friends and business connections who, based on the good reputation of the referring angel, also invest. All live happily ever after.

Angel Investor 112

Angel Investor Venture Capital Sweat Equity Cram Down 112

www.mattbartus.com

DECEMBER 9, 2012

My question is, can you elaborate on the benefits you see for the entrepreneur in trying to sell this to the investors? Interesting strategy, although I don't know if it justifies the added risk of having a flat (or down) round next time you go to raise. Hi Matt, Interesting technique and makes sense. link] Brad Hargreaves.

Warrant 40

Warrant Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Term Sheet 40

thebarefootvc

AUGUST 26, 2015

After the market downturn on Monday I set several limit orders – primarily on tech holdings that I wanted to increase positions in – in my personal account and went back to meeting with entrepreneurs. Resilient entrepreneurs confront challenges quickly, and utilize all the resources at their disposal to overcome them.

Marketing 40

Marketing Investment Bankers Valuation China 40

thebarefootvc

AUGUST 26, 2015

After the market downturn on Monday I set several limit orders – primarily on tech holdings that I wanted to increase positions in – in my personal account and went back to meeting with entrepreneurs. Resilient entrepreneurs confront challenges quickly, and utilize all the resources at their disposal to overcome them.

Marketing 40

Marketing Investment Bankers Valuation China 40

For Entrepreneurs

APRIL 7, 2011

Note: The concepts in this post will likely be obvious to experienced CEOs and entrepreneurs. Despite that, our experience indicates that entrepreneurs frequently make costly, avoidable mistakes [.].

Finance 167

Finance Startup Cost Entrepreneur 167

thebarefootvc

JULY 26, 2015

After the market downturn on Monday I set several limit orders – primarily on tech holdings that I wanted to increase positions in – in my personal account and went back to meeting with entrepreneurs. Resilient entrepreneurs confront challenges quickly, and utilize all the resources at their disposal to overcome them.

Marketing 40

Marketing Investment Bankers Valuation China 40

Berkonomics

OCTOBER 7, 2011

For investors, a subsequent down round at a lower valuation than the last, or an exit opportunity at a loss are all opportunities for the affected stakeholder to show a side that can sometimes shock an entrepreneur or CEO.

Valuation 54

Valuation Dilution Down Round Employee 54

Hippoland

NOVEMBER 13, 2016

When I was an entrepreneur, it never crossed my mind how VCs measure their success. So, as an entrepreneur, in many cases, you are pitching people who may not even be good investors. If a company raises a good round, it gets marked up to the new value. And if a company takes a down-round, it gets marked down.

IRR 48

IRR Valuation Portfolio Due Diligence 48